First step to becoming a HGV driver

[agent006]

Have a look around now. Neither of the big tipper fleets round here (Glos) are asking for experience on their driver adverts,so maybe similar elsewhere.

[TrophyMax]

Dave, I've followed this thread with interest as I've always wanted to drive for a living but never taken the plunge. One question please, any regrets?

A wider question to all who contribute, on average how many hours a week do you work?

Thanks.

[ezi]

I work roughly 50-55hrs a week - class 1 day work Mon-Fri. That's if you include my breaks and time spent sitting around doing nothing.

[callmedave]

Hey max,

My only regret is not pulling my thumb out my arse sooner. I could have done all this 10+ years ago rather than all these stty jobs I've had sat behind a desk.

Now I'm my own boss, I take a break when I want, no one enters my office and I can sing along to the radio as badly as I want without any complaints!

There's highs and low to all jobs, the only thing that annoys me is when I can't do my job! (Waiting to get loaded, trucks being fixed etc) all the time there's bricks to deliver I'm a happy chap. I've found a company who are great to work for, all the guys there are great and it's a decent truck and crane they have given me. I'm gratefull that I have managed to get this and aim to do what I can to keep my boss happy.

[carmadgaz]

TrophyMax said:

Dave, I've followed this thread with interest as I've always wanted to drive for a living but never taken the plunge. One question please, any regrets?

A wider question to all who contribute, on average how many hours a week do you work?

Thanks.

There are many horror stories from drivers and just as many who have been happily with the same company for decades. For a specific career it's rather diverse in what you can do. In 12 months I've done quarry work, Eden Valley Project (both tippers), lugging marquees and currently multidrop pallets. All had their perks and drawbacks

Currently averaging 0800-1800 Mon-Fri but it depends on what is going on when we get back to the yard and who needs to get gone on time as to the actual finish time

[JackThrust]

I've been reading this thread with some interest. I've been bored out of my face in office jobs for years now and never been able to find a way out of it.

For the past 2 years I've been working for a truck dealer and while I don't have a HGV licence I do drive them round our yard a fair bit including some interesting parking manoeuvres and I've always enjoyed doing that albeit in a limited setting.

I'm getting to the point where I'm seriously considering this as a career change. I've enjoyed reading about everyone's journey from training to working, so please keep us updated with how you are all getting on.

[warch]

Nice that it's such a cheerful positive thread, you'd probably be put off driving for life if you were to read Trucknet, which appears to be rife with miserable embittered old gits.

[GC8]

There all sorts driving. Sadly, loud-mouthed know-it-all imbeciles are over-represented in the industry.

People come from all walks of life too; not only the too stupid to do owt else cliche, although there are too many of these.

[callmedave]

I seriously don't think I could do any job other than HGV driving now. Nothing could keep me satisfied as much as this industry does.

My first drop today was a few bulk bags of sand to a small building site, the guy there remembered me from when I worked at TP and asked me to lift and move a stack of HARAS fencing with the crane, he asked politely and is a nice guy so I did. It was a bit tricky as we couldn't lift the whole stack to get a sling underneath so had to hook up a corner with the crane and then use a plank of wood to get the slings under then I could lift them up and over a fence and on to the other stack, then we couldnt get the slings out so kept one end of them hooked on to the crane and had to lift and pull to get them out.

The whole time I was on site none of it felt like 'work' I was just helping a mate out and generally 'mucking about' with a big ass crane! Then I'm back in my cab, radio on and following the sat nav to the next job with one arm out the window enjoying the country side and sunshine.

Or maybe I could sit behind a desk for 9 hours a day......

100% no regrets!

[GC8]

Keep both hands on the steering wheel.

[warch]

callmedave said:

I seriously don't think I could do any job other than HGV driving now. Nothing could keep me satisfied as much as this industry does.

My first drop today was a few bulk bags of sand to a small building site, the guy there remembered me from when I worked at TP and asked me to lift and move a stack of HARAS fencing with the crane, he asked politely and is a nice guy so I did. It was a bit tricky as we couldn't lift the whole stack to get a sling underneath so had to hook up a corner with the crane and then use a plank of wood to get the slings under then I could lift them up and over a fence and on to the other stack, then we couldnt get the slings out so kept one end of them hooked on to the crane and had to lift and pull to get them out.

The whole time I was on site none of it felt like 'work' I was just helping a mate out and generally 'mucking about' with a big ass crane! Then I'm back in my cab, radio on and following the sat nav to the next job with one arm out the window enjoying the country side and sunshine.

Or maybe I could sit behind a desk for 9 hours a day......

100% no regrets!

That's brilliant! I know exactly what you mean. I'm an archaeologist, but I can also drive excavators (I own one that I use for landscaping). Midweek I did a job watching a chap excavate the foundations for his house. He clearly hadn't driven one and was struggling to make any progress so I offered to do it for him. I got the job finished on time and did all the work I needed to do, everyone's happy.

I spend far too much time in the office, which is good careers wise I suppose, but pretty dull.

[The Mad Monk]

GC8 said:

Keep both hands on the steering wheel.

And turn the radio off if you are driving with the window down.

We don't want to be forced to listen to your choice of music.

[TrophyMax]

The Mad Monk said:

GC8 said:

Keep both hands on the steering wheel.

And turn the radio off if you are driving with the window down.

We don't want to be forced to listen to your choice of music.

That's you told Dave!

[callmedave]

TrophyMax said:

That's you told Dave!

What?
Can't hear you over the radio!

Back to work tomorrow, toot toot!

[StevieSpain]

WOW!
I´ve followed you, callmedave, and you, carmadgaz, all the way from the start of your careers, in this thread.
The Ups (loads of em) and the Downs (Not too may, thank goodness) and I have to say this this last hour and a half has been well spent. A real joy.
Well written, well spelled, nicely paragraphed, easy to read.
Thanks to you both, and also to the other contributors, fantastic job

I´m just about to revive my 30 year old Class 2 licence, should be good to go in a month or so. It´s you guys enthusiasm that sealed the deal for me. So if I don´t like it this time around....I´ll be back with a big stick

Seriously, a great read. Thanks.

[GC8]

Expect to earn about what you did 30yrs ago.

[StevieSpain]

I hear ya. Earning 73 quid a week (not)working for the Govt atm.

And I checked, yep you´re right, they pan out exactly the same if not slightly less.

[carmadgaz]

GC8 said:

Expect to earn about what you did 30yrs ago.

I was a fetus this time 30 years ago so it can't be that bad

Stevie glad to hear you've found the thread interesting. Been nice to go through with Dave and feedback in real time

Guessing most of the driving tips I've picked up will be preaching to the choir but I will make two "update" points

Trucks are much "easier" and comfier to drive. Even my fleet spec 62-plate Merc has more toys than the '92-'95 Leylands I was tooling around in last year (well it has cupholders, seatbelts and a working radio ). Had a 62 plate MAN yesterday and that thing had all the bells and whistles (even a fridge!). All of ours have a "rear view mirror" (camera) on the back too which is a massive help in some of the dull places we get sent

NEVER trust the sat nav. Seems obvious but you see so many on social media (even in cars) get buggered. Using the MAN driver's sat nav rather than my own kit yesterday. It tried to send me down here



Guessing you're sorting all the DCPC bull out atm as well?

[StevieSpain]

Jeez, you really don´t want to know the spec of the old trucks I used to drive! Absolutely NO creature comforts at all mate. Mind you, I wasn´t tramping or overnighting, I drove a 26 tonne concrete mixer for Tilcon.

I used to get paid about 60 quid a week Mon-Fri, and if the plant manager had done his job correctly and skimmed some mix off during the week.....make another 60 quid on a Saturday morning.

Yeah, love those satnavs when they fk up

Mind you, for the first two months of, hopefully, working, I´ll be using my phone and Google frikkin Maps

[StevieSpain]

Oh yeah, the CPC. Not too bothered tbh, I´ve done some mocks this last couple of days and got 100% on 4 out of 5. Not saying I´m st hot or anything, just that alot of it is common sense.
Starting a course next Friday, provided by the tax payers (Thank you very much) Medical included too.
4 weeks time should see me frantically applying for every job I can. Need to build up some cash for a CE and then my triumphant return to Spain